A "dawn raid" is the industry term for an unannounced inspection by the Competition and Markets Authority at a company's premises. The official term is a warranted inspection. This page uses "warranted inspection" when describing the M&J case, unless a source uses the alternative term.

Investigators' Powers

During a warranted inspection, CMA investigators may:

• Enter premises, by force if necessary, under a court warrant.
• Require the production of documents and records.
• Copy or take possession of relevant material.
• Require staff to answer questions and provide explanations.
• Examine computers, phones, email systems and servers.

What Investigators Examine

• Phones — work mobiles may be seized and examined.
• Email — email systems and servers may be searched.
• Laptops — devices may be imaged and examined.
• Paper documents — physical files may be copied or taken.

Staff Instructions and Legal Representation

Staff are generally required to cooperate with investigators. Companies may contact legal representatives during an inspection. Legal advisers can assist with the scope of the warrant, privilege claims, and the handling of material, but cannot obstruct the inspection.

Document Preservation

Once an investigation is underway, companies and individuals must preserve relevant material. Removing, concealing, falsifying or destroying documents can lead to administrative penalties — as the M&J case demonstrates.

Read the detailed evidence preservation guide →

The M&J Case in Context

The CMA's warranted inspection of M&J Group in December 2024 led to £50,000 in penalties after the regulator found that a work phone and paperwork were removed and that an individual made a false statement about a work phone. These penalties concerned investigative non-compliance — not the underlying bid-rigging investigation, which remains open.